When Fred Teague found a man sleeping in the bathrooms at Russellville City Park one night, he didn’t shun him or avoid him — instead, he helped him.

That’s because Teague is part of an organization called The Russ Bus, a local group that goes around Russellville helping the homeless get back on their feet.

“We’re this group of people that actively seeks out homeless people so we can take care of them,” Teague said. “We got [the homeless man] some clothes, and set him up in a tent, and put him on a weekly schedule of getting a shower done once a week and doing his laundry once a week.”

Now, the homeless man, who Teague called Joe, has a job and an apartment.

“That’s our ultimate goal,” Teague said. “To get them off the streets and into apartments.”

In addition to providing homeless people clean clothes and a shower, the group — which consists of five core members in Teague, Ashley Francis, Melanie Sorrells, Shelby Davis and Victor Whicher, although Teague said plenty of others help — also brings meals to the homeless once a week.

Teague began volunteering for the Russ Bus, which is only two to three months old, in early December, when he found out just how big of a problem homelessness was in Russellville.

“This is my hometown, and I had no idea we had this problem,” he said. “When I heard about it, I realized this was something I could do something about.”

And Teague, and the group itself, has done plenty. They fed 32 homeless people last week, in addition to coordinating several fundraisers, most notably an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Stoby’s this Sunday.

The Russ Bus is part of The One, Inc., a Christian organization that seeks to help the underprivileged.

“[Our mission is] to continually seek out THE ONE who is ignored overlooked, and forgotten,” the website said. “Jesus said a good shepherd would leave the 99 to find the 1. That’s what The Russ Bus is all about.”

Teague says the help they offer is non-discriminatory, and he often doesn’t even discuss Christianity with the people they help.

“We don’t discriminate against anyone,” he said. “We’ve dealt with prostitutes and drug dealers. We are a faith-based group, but there’s no rules, no apologies, just help.”

“I go to Journey church. We’re not based out of The Journey, but the people we help know I go there,” he continued. “They know that they’re welcome to go to the church. If the door opens, I will share [my beliefs]. But if my actions don’t bear witness with my savior, then my words will do no good.”

For people wanting to get involved in The Russ Bus, visit their website at www.therussbus.org and the Facebook page titled “The Russ Bus.”

“We’re in the infant stages, but we’re making some good headway, and the community is behind us,” Teague said. “I love this community, and we’re honored to serve those in our hometown.”